Chicago @ Dallas preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2019 ) Dallas 0, Chicago 3

After getting manhandled on their home ice by St. Louis in a showdown for first place in the Central, the Dallas Stars seek to bounce back against the worst team in the division. Coming off their first regulation defeat in more than two weeks, the Stars will wrap up a three-game homestand against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon.

Dallas had earned points in six consecutive games (5-0-1) before absorbing a 5-1 loss to the Blues, falling four points behind St. Louis in the three-team battle for division supremacy. "It's a good learning point that we've got work to do," Stars captain Jamie Benn told reporters. "There's a lot of areas of our game that we need to get better at." While Dallas failed to earn a point for only the second time in 11 games this month, the Blackhawks are trying to stay within striking distance of a playoff slot as they open a rugged four-game road trip that includes visits to St. Louis and Tampa Bay. "We've had a bunch of games lately where we played hard and didn't get rewarded," coach Jeremy Colliton told reporters after Chicago posted only its second victory in nine games (2-5-2) with a 2-1 overtime win over Nashville on Friday night. "So it helps to move this thing forward when you get a win."

TIME: 3 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS Chicago, FS Southwest, TVA

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (27-26-8): Forward Alex DeBrincat had a spectacular sophomore season, erupting for 41 goals in 2018-19 after scoring 28 times during his rookie campaign. It has been a different story in year No. 3 for DeBrincat, who had his first two-goal game of the season Friday, including the deciding tally in overtime to match his output from the previous 12 contests. "I feel like I've had a lot hit the post. Had a lot of chances lately and they went in tonight," DeBrincat told the media after tying a season high with eight shots on net.

ABOUT THE STARS (35-20-6): Eight of Dallas' first 10 games in February were decided by one goal, which is why the lopsided nature of Friday's setback was so surprising. "I don't know if it was a wake-up call as much as it was more proving the way that we need to play," forward Blake Comeau told reporters after the Stars managed only 19 shots on goal. "We have to learn from our mistakes, what we got away from, and correct it." The Stars failed on all four power-play chances Friday and are 0-for-6 in two meetings versus Chicago this season.

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks F Patrick Kane has seven points during a four-game streak overall and eight in his last six against Dallas.

2. Stars F Alexander Radulov has been held without a goal in 12 of the past 13 games.

3. Blackhawks D Erik Gustafsson, rumored to be on the trading block, was held out Friday and will not accompany the team to Dallas.

PREDICTION: Stars 3, Blackhawks 2